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Ecuador  "Crash Course"

Our signature tour, the Ecuador "Crash Course" is designed as a comprehensive learning experience rather than just a tour. This 10-day journey offers a deep dive into Ecuador's unique lifestyle, history, culture, heritage, and people. We don't aim to "sell" Ecuador as a retirement or digital nomad destination; instead, we provide the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about relocation.

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Starting with two days in Quito, you'll enjoy survival Spanish lessons and insights from experts, followed by visits to various highland and coastal communities, including "expat hot spots" and off-the-beaten-path locations. Each day, you'll receive Spanish tips and opportunities to practice, all while exploring Ecuadorian cuisine, customs, and culture.

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By the end of the tour in Cuenca, you'll have the foundational knowledge to decide if Ecuador is right for you, ensuring a smooth and informed transition if you choose to relocate. Join us and experience Ecuador in an efficient, fun, and educational way!

Sample Itinerary

Please Note: This is a sample itinerary only.  We occasionally make changes to the actual itinerary depending on hotel availability, holidays, road conditions, and other factors.  However, once we have sent out itineraries for each tour, we strive to maintain that schedule. Thanks!

Arrival Day

  • Arrival at Quito Airport and transport to local hotel

  • Relax and Prepare for your Crash Course Tour!

Day 3

  • Hotel Breakfast

  • More Survival Spanish with a visit to the fruit & vegetable market

  • Board our Motorcoach and journey North

  • Sample local cuisine, including Cuy, the national dish of Ecuador

  • Stop at Cuicocha Crater Lake for lunch and more Expat introductions

  • Free time for exploration & shopping, or optional trip to visit Expat housing

Day 6

  • Breakfast at the Hotel

  • Option to tour Manta with local Expat Guides

  • Option to explore beach & fishing towns north of Manta, such as Crucita, San Clemente, and San Jacinto

  • Option to relax and walk on the beach, or play a round of Golf at Montecristi Golf Resort & Villas for an extra cost

  • Late afternoon departure for the peaceful beach town of Puerto Cayo

  • Dinner on your own

Day 9

  • Breakfast meeting with Expats to discuss life in Cuenca

  • Meeting with an Ecuadorian lawyer who will present an informative overview of legal issues for expats, visa procedures and more

  • Walking tour of the historic city center visiting the flower market, Parque Calderon, the Cathedral, the 10 de Agosto fruit and vegetable market, Panama Hat Museum and the artisan market

  • Lunch on your own & free time to explore

  • Double decker bus tour of the city

  • Evening drinks & Graduation Party!

Day 1

  • Breakfast at the Hotel

  • Group welcome & Tour overview

  • Introduction to Expat Life

  • Survival Spanish Lesson

  • Visit sites of interest in Colonial "Old Town"

  • Traditional Almuerzo Lunch

  • Afternoon Spanish Lesson

  • Wine & Cheese reception on the Hotel grounds

Day 4

  • Breakfast at the Hotel

  • More Survival Spanish

  • Departure for the Equatorial Line and visit to Intinan Equator Museum

  • Lunch at Latitude 0-0-0

  • Continue on to Mindo in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador

  • Stop for hot chocolate, coffee or tea and observe the many hummingbirds

  • Check-in at our Mindo hotel

  • Meet up with Mindo Expats & learn about life in Mindo

  • Free time to explore and have dinner on your own

  • Optional Chocolate making tour

Day 7

  • Hotel Breakfast

  • Continue traveling south, visiting coastal towns of Puerto Lopez, Ayampe, Olon, and Montanita

  • Lunch in Olon with local Expats

  • Tour real estate developments geared towards retirees, remote workers & Ecuadorians

  • Continue traveling south through Ballenita, La Libertad, and Santa Elena

  • Late afternoon arrival to the "Miami Beach" of Ecuador, Salinas

  • Q & A Session with local area Expats

  • Dinner on your own

Day 10 - Departure Day

  • Breakfast at the Hotel

  • Free morning for exploration of Cuenca for those not traveling on to Loja & Vilcabamba

  • Please check in with the Cuenca Hosts regarding your travel arrangements to get home or additional in-country travel & accommodations

  • For those continuing south to Loja & Vilcabamba, we will board our bus and travel 4-5 hours to the Loja Province

  • For those flying home, we wish you safe travels and hope to see you again soon!

Day 2

  • Breakfast at the Hotel

  • More Survival Spanish Lessons

  • Guest Speaker to discuss culture & history of Ecuador

  • Ecuadorian snacks, coffee, and tea

  • Board our Motorcoach and journey to Imbabura province

  • Intro to Indigenous Culture while en route

  • Visit to indigenous factory and shopping in Otavalo

  • Late afternoon arrival to Cotacachi

  • Evening get-together with Cotacachi expats 

Day 5

  • Optional early morning bird watching walk

  • Hotel Breakfast

  • Departure from Mindo, descend through the Cloud Forest & tropical plains with a stop for lunch en route to Manta

  • Evening Expat gathering at Hotel Navio

Day 8

  • Hotel Breakfast

  • Board Motorcoach and depart for Guayaquil.

  • Tour the beautifully renovated Parque Seminario and El Malecon 2000

  • Lunch overlooking the Guayas River

  • Depart for Cuenca, passing through the breathtaking El Cajas National Park at nearly 13,000 ft. in elevation

  • Check in to our Cuenca hotel in the late afternoon or early evening

  • Dinner on your own

Your "Crash Course" Tour Includes:

  • Airport Pick up in Quito

  • Private Van/Bus Transportation

  • Bi-Lingual Expat guides with over 30 years experience in Ecuador

  • Knowledgeable Guest speakers

  • Meetings with local expats in each of the areas

  • Daily Spanish and Culture classes

  • Lodging (10 nights) - includes Wednesday night pre-tour

  • Breakfast for all 10 days

  • Several additional meals (lunch or dinner) during the tour

  • All entrance fees and activities included in the tour.

You are responsible for:

  • Flight to Quito, pre-tour; flight from Quito, post-tour

  • Return flight to Quito from Cuenca or Loja, post-tour
    **We can help you with these arrangements.**

  • Hotel – Airport transfer out, post-tour

  • Personal spending or tips (for our bus driver and/or tour facilitators)

  • Some additional meals (lunch or dinner)

  • Alcoholic beverages

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